Gordon raced off to the shopping centre’s pet shop. It was a front for a local shelter that helped the community with adoptions and vaccinations and all profits go towards animal charities. Gordon loved talking to all the volunteers and patting the puppies and most importantly check out all the fish.
He spent more time then he should have, watching the fish go round and round. It could just be mesmerising tracking the movements and colours of different fish and crabs. Gordon accidentally made a large sale talking to a father and daughter who wanted a new set up. He bought himself a few novelty fish tank toys to use at home.
He picked up a smoothie and a celery crunch bar on his way up to the roof after he realised he rushed out the house without breakfast. He would need all his strength for the upcoming trip to the grocery store.
“Hey guys,” Gordon noticed he hadn’t beaten as many people to the roof as he beat people in the pool, “what’s crack a laking?”
With his younger brothers distracted, Scott’s free to buy himself a new shirt without a chorus of sighs or murmured comments about why does he need a new shirt when he already has more shirts than Lady P has beautiful dresses.
Sure Scott’s got a thousand shirts already but none in the exact shade of blue he needs for an upcoming ball. There’d usually be a strict dress code for those kind of events but it’s for charity so things are a little different and Scott’s looking forward to the opportunity to mingle. It gets lonely on an island in the middle of an ocean.
A new shirt requires a new set of cuff links and Scott can’t resist picking up an intricately embroidered tie too because he’s not sure any of his ties will match. It’s tempting to get a new pair of shoes to complete the look but the hour’s half gone and his stomach’s rumbling.
The department store’s got a world-class patisserie on the top floor with windows that offer a dazzling view of the city and a certain Thunderbird Scott left parked up on the roof. It makes him smile to see faces plastered to windows, all straining to catch a glimpse of the Thunderbird. Everybody gets to have a good look at Thunderbird Two as she moves gracefully overhead but often the only sign of Thunderbird One in the area is an unmistakable sonic boom.
Finally it’s Scott’s turn to be served and he chooses a Mille-Feuille to fill the crevasse until the barbecue’s ready, and then a tray of donuts with sticky, lovely-looking glazes catches his eye.
“I’ll take a donut too, please.” Scott positively drools on the glass. “The one at the front.” Because it’s got the most sprinkles and he loves sprinkles almost as much as he loves buying new shirts.
He’s too hungry to wait and besides, he’s got no time to sit and admire the view. He’s got four little brothers to round up and real, nutritional food to buy.
For once, they’re waiting for him by the time Scott’s found a door to the roof and eaten the whole of his fancy custard slice. The donut’s calling to him but Scott takes one look and can see who hasn’t eaten anything yet.
“Here.” He places the cardboard patisserie box in Virgil’s hands, sacrificing his donut without hesitation because he can’t let any of his brothers go hungry. “I’m glad the mall’s intact this time. Everybody ready to go food shopping?”
“Yeah!” Alan’s just stuffed the rest of his soft pretzel into his mouth and was eyeing the donut Scott had just handed Virgil. Man did that look good.
“We should get some more ice cream while we’re out. And some chips and dip–or should we get fries? Nah, chips and dip go better with a cookout. But definitely the ice cream. There’s plenty of mint chocolate chip in the freezer, but I want some black raspberry and dark chocolate chunk ice cream.” He licked his lips and realized he had some cheese at the corner of his mouth so he quickly wiped it off with the back of his hand.
It hadn’t taken long for it to become rather apparent that Virgil had been the only one who hadn’t decided to get a snack. Even John seemed comfortable, suggesting he’d even given in. Meanwhile, the smell of Alan’s pretzel was becoming pure torture.
At least now that Scott had arrived, the grocery shopping could commence… as soon as they’d stashed their purchases, that is. With the lower hatch now open, Virgil was first to stow his new art supplies.
Descending the ladder, Virgil blinked in surprise when Scott suddenly handed him a small box. Puzzled why Scott was giving it to him instead of putting it in Thunderbird 1, Virgil cracked open the lid, only to be hit with the most amazingly delicious smell. Recognizing it instantly as a donut type his brother would choose for himself, it only took a second to realize what a gift he’d just received.
‘You sure?’ Virgil asked silently, as soon as he’d caught Scott’s eye again. Yeah, he was hesitating. Virgil couldn’t help it. The response, however, was clear: Scott wouldn’t hear of having it back.
With an appreciative smile, Virgil pulled the donut from the box–oh what a donut it was–and began eating it while the others stowed their things in Thunderbird 1 as well.
By the time they’d headed down to the grocery store, Virgil had finished it and was feeling a lot better. Maybe before they left he could duck away for a few minutes to replace it… he’d have to see if an opportunity would present itself.
Gordon showed up not long after he did, and eventually Scott came around - having clearly had something to eat, giving what looked like a delicious donut to Virgil. John however had to laugh at Alan, giving his little brother a light playful nudge.
“And I thought I had the hollowest of legs around here.” He joked. “Though I gotta agree on the ice cream.” He was more than ready to pick up the food they needed for the BBQ. The faster they took care of that, the faster they would go home. The astronaut headed up the ladder into Thunderbird 1 to secure his purchases and stow his satchel. He wouldn’t be needing it. He had secured some money in his utility sash for his pickles and bagels with some to spare for whatever else he might want to get.
John tripped on his way down the ladder, but thankfully only stumbled and caught himself on a rung before he fell on his face. He tended to be a little klutzy after just coming down from space. At least it was up here instead of in the mall where the crowds were. Rubbing his lower back with a slight grimace, he joined his brother’s, and followed them and matched their pace, eager to finish with their errands.
